Pretty good deal on an MCI single axle !

[Busted Knuckle]

I was just searching Ebay and saw this might be of interest to someone here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-47-Passenger-Bus-/200528144969?pt=Buses&hash=item2eb068aa49

  BK 

[artvonne]

  Im confused, I didnt think MCI made any single axles after the -5.

[cody]

No claim of a recent rebuild, now I've lost all faith in ebay lol.

[bevans6]

that would be a neat bus!  narrow width 40' single axle i believe, used more for tour buses and shuttles than long haul I think.  I saw a nice one in Toronto the other day, confused the heck out of me!

brian

[belfert]

The 96A2 was a two axle coach made primarily for suburban commuter use.  It would also be good for a day tour operation.  The thinking was there would be no luggage so the weight would be less and could be handled with a single rear axle.

I've never heard of a 96A10 though.

[TomC]

I frankly don't know why most 40ftr's used for motorhomes still have the tag axle.  My bus weighed in at 28,000lbs stripped and empty.  When done I weigh in at 31,000lb full and with both of us in it.  That's 5,000lbs from the GVW (transit bus).  With most buses, the rears are 23,000lbs and at least a 13,000lb front.  Course, transits use big brakes- 14.5 x 7 in front and 14.5 x 10 in back.  Good Luck, TomC

[artvonne]

I frankly don't know why most 40ftr's used for motorhomes still have the tag axle.  Good Luck, TomC

 I did some searching on that issue a while back, because if I was interested in an MCI, it would be nice to lose all that weight (some claim 4000 pounds?) and another set of tires. Seems the MCI's can bounce the front end pretty violently with the tags removed, someone or other claimed it could throw a driver completely out of his seat under the right conditions. Then some others claimed the sub frame over the axle can crack without the tags in place. To much weight out back behind the drive axle. Apparentlty there are no issues with GMC's as the tags are in front of the drive axle.

[bevans6]

In the case of this bus, the drive axle is pretty far back, a lot farther back than the drive axle on an equivalent bus with tag.  It's true that the tag axle transfers weight forward to the steer axle to some extent, and that would help with porpoising, but a correctly balanced Iie not too much weight behind the drive axle) bus wouldn't necessarily have that problem, I don't think.  It might have a longer wheelbase and larger turning circle, mind you.

Brian

[Len Silva]

I think that bus might be the start of a really nice conversion as long as you didn't load it down with granite and ceramic tile.  Some careful weight planning would go a long way toward making it a very nice conversion.

[Iceni John]

I frankly don't know why most 40ftr's used for motorhomes still have the tag axle.  My bus weighed in at 28,000lbs stripped and empty.  When done I weigh in at 31,000lb full and with both of us in it.  That's 5,000lbs from the GVW (transit bus).  With most buses, the rears are 23,000lbs and at least a 13,000lb front.  Course, transits use big brakes- 14.5 x 7 in front and 14.5 x 10 in back.  Good Luck, TomC

I also have 23,000 rear GAWR  -  isn't 20,000 the maximum allowed on a single axle in CA?   If that's so, it will limit me to 34,400 total, even though my GVWR is 37,400.   I won't be anywhere near GVWR, but I'm curious how heavy is legal.

Thanks, John

[artvonne]

  I was reading federal commercial motor vehicle laws, and unless I read something wrong, 20,000 pounds is the max weight on any one axle. I was also reading my states motor vehicle laws and it said the same, unless once again I misread something.

  Personally I believe its best to stay as light as possible all the way around. Its easier on the tires obviously, but also the driveline, brakes, fuel, handling, etc..

  Ive contemplated a few MCI-7's, 8's... but unless I could lose the tags I just feel its too much Bus for my needs.